Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Rainbow chard, also known a 5-color silverbeet, is a tender chard variety with multi-colored stalks of yellow, white, orange pink and red.
Grower
Seasons/Availability
Garlic is available year round.
Current Facts
Botanically named Allium Sativum, garlic is a member of the lily family along with chives, shallots and onions. Amongst cultivated plants it is known to have one of the largest genomes. Garlic is the common name dedicated to hundreds of varieties, which can be classified as hardneck and softneck types. Of these types, softneck varieties are most common as they are easier to grow, less particular about growing conditions, slower to bolt and generally produce more cloves per bulb. They are the supermarket varieties that people simply know as garlic.
Description/Taste
Fresh garlic consists of several cloves that can be individually separated from their paper-thin white peel. Each clove of garlic is also encased in its own individual white to reddish-brown wrapper, often layered depending upon variety. Regardless of variety though, it is best to choose garlic with supple, firm bulbs and roots still intact as this is a sign of freshness. Whole garlic has a very mild garlicky scent, once cloves are chopped or pressed enzyme compounds are released which produce a sulfur based molecule known as allicin, a process which gives garlic its renowned pungent aroma and flavor.
Nutritional Value
All varieties of garlic possess antibiotic properties to some forms of bacteria, viruses and intestinal parasites. Plants in the garlic family lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and may also be used a diuretic, an anti-inflammatory agent, an expectorant or a decongestant. Both garlic and onions contain allylic sulfides, which are being studied for their ability to help prevent certain types of cancer and coronary disease.
Applications
Garlic can be eaten a variety of ways including raw or cooked. Raw garlic tends to be stronger than cooked; and crushing, chopping, pressing or pureeing garlic releases even more of its oils providing a sharper, more assertive flavor than slicing or leaving it whole. Garlic can be a supporting ingredient in numerous dishes, but does especially well as the central flavor in compound butters, dressings, sauces and salts. Roasting garlic will enhance its flavor and add a subtle sweetness. Roasted garlic compliments poultry and pastas, and can be added to mashed potatoes, soups and stews.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Throughout history garlic has been seen by man cultures as a scared item and a means to ward off evil and provide protection. The Egyptians often buried garlic with the dead and used it in rituals. It has been used to protect from scorpions, snakes and vampires. Sailors carried in with them on voyages believing it helped to ensure calm seas during their travels.
Geography/History
All garlic cultivars are considered to be derived from ten specific varieties of garlic that evolved in the Caucasus Mountains between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Garlic has been altered over time by natural and intentional selection, ever changing growing conditions, such as soil fertility, rainfall, temperature, altitude, length and severity of winter and as trade routes were evolved and extended garlic would become naturalized in often unnatural climates. Over centuries, garlic's evolution began with fertile plants, continued with sterile plants and ended with non-bolting "genotypes". Primitive garlic had more cold-hardiness, heat tolerance, larger numbers of foliage, and a later maturity stage than that of modern sterile varieties. When planted, one clove of garlic yields one bulb of garlic.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the other 6...
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Garlic. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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Seasons/Availability
Garlic is available year round.
Current Facts
Botanically named Allium Sativum, garlic is a member of the lily family along with chives, shallots and onions. Amongst cultivated plants it is known to have one of the largest genomes. Garlic is the common name dedicated to hundreds of varieties, which can be classified as hardneck and softneck types. Of these types, softneck varieties are most common as they are easier to grow, less particular about growing conditions, slower to bolt and generally produce more cloves per bulb. They are the supermarket varieties that people simply know as garlic.
Description/Taste
Fresh garlic consists of several cloves that can be individually separated from their paper-thin white peel. Each clove of garlic is also encased in its own individual white to reddish-brown wrapper, often layered depending upon variety. Regardless of variety though, it is best to choose garlic with supple, firm bulbs and roots still intact as this is a sign of freshness. Whole garlic has a very mild garlicky scent, once cloves are chopped or pressed enzyme compounds are released which produce a sulfur based molecule known as allicin, a process which gives garlic its renowned pungent aroma and flavor.
Nutritional Value
All varieties of garlic possess antibiotic properties to some forms of bacteria, viruses and intestinal parasites. Plants in the garlic family lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and may also be used a diuretic, an anti-inflammatory agent, an expectorant or a decongestant. Both garlic and onions contain allylic sulfides, which are being studied for their ability to help prevent certain types of cancer and coronary disease.
Applications
Garlic can be eaten a variety of ways including raw or cooked. Raw garlic tends to be stronger than cooked; and crushing, chopping, pressing or pureeing garlic releases even more of its oils providing a sharper, more assertive flavor than slicing or leaving it whole. Garlic can be a supporting ingredient in numerous dishes, but does especially well as the central flavor in compound butters, dressings, sauces and salts. Roasting garlic will enhance its flavor and add a subtle sweetness. Roasted garlic compliments poultry and pastas, and can be added to mashed potatoes, soups and stews.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Throughout history garlic has been seen by man cultures as a scared item and a means to ward off evil and provide protection. The Egyptians often buried garlic with the dead and used it in rituals. It has been used to protect from scorpions, snakes and vampires. Sailors carried in with them on voyages believing it helped to ensure calm seas during their travels.
Geography/History
All garlic cultivars are considered to be derived from ten specific varieties of garlic that evolved in the Caucasus Mountains between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Garlic has been altered over time by natural and intentional selection, ever changing growing conditions, such as soil fertility, rainfall, temperature, altitude, length and severity of winter and as trade routes were evolved and extended garlic would become naturalized in often unnatural climates. Over centuries, garlic's evolution began with fertile plants, continued with sterile plants and ended with non-bolting "genotypes". Primitive garlic had more cold-hardiness, heat tolerance, larger numbers of foliage, and a later maturity stage than that of modern sterile varieties. When planted, one clove of garlic yields one bulb of garlic.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-9085 |
| Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
| Prepkitchen La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-875-7737 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Conchettas | San Diego CA | 858-254-4630 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-255-4230 |
| Roy's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-455-1616 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Flavor Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-3663 |
| Prepkitchen Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-247-0394 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Donovan's Prime Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-906-4850 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Bice Ristorante | San Diego CA | 469-450-3519 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| Burger Lounge Commissary | Coronado CA | 619-435-6835 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| The Farm House Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-269-9662 |
| Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria | Encinitas CA | 760-634-7671 |
| Indigo Grill | San Diego CA | 619-234-6802 |
| Anthology | San Diego CA | 619-595-0300 |
| The Elegant Truffle | San Diego CA | 619-222-1889 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Garlic. One
is easiest, three is harder.
